Business Category: History sub

“Amazing Women of History” is not only entertaining, it’s educational. Singer, actor, playwright, and historical portrayer JoAnn Peterson, combines her love of history with acting and teaching experience to bring a truly captivating performance. Her first person portrayals are well researched. Peterson is a presenter with the West Virginia Humanities Council History Alive! program, has performed in professional regional theater, and has written eight murder mystery plays.

JoAnn Peterson is available to perform for civic and community organizations, churches, libraries, schools, tour groups, conferences, and other gatherings. Contact her at 304-329-6336, 301-268-5116 or mountaineer@atlanticbb.net

Her First Person Portrayals include:

Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, illegitimate and born into poverty became a world renowned opera singer and philanthropist who was lauded by kings and queens.

Mary Lincoln, one of the most tragic and misrepresented 19th Century figures. Mary Lincoln and her story symbolize the pain and loss of Civil War America and is closely intertwined with that of her husband, Abraham Lincoln.

Margaret Tobin Brown, the “Unsinkable Molly Brown”, an extraordinary woman whose compassion and courage captured the world’s attention due to her heroics during the Titanic tragedy. What people know of her is mostly myth and caricature. She was a remarkable woman whose life was greatly embellished posthumously, to create a larger-than-life commercial heroine called “Molly”.

Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Jane Cochrane), a groundbreaking, “stunt” journalist, her undercover feats included feigning insanity to be committed to a lunatic asylum. The grand jury investigation that ensued following her report led to many reforms in the treatment of the mentally ill. The movie “10 Days in a Mad House” being released September 2015 is based on her experience.

“A Mother’s Heart Divided – A Civil War Story with Song”, is the tale of Maisie Twigg, who lives in the hills of the new state of West Virginia. Being anti-slavery, her husband Johnny joins the Union army, leaving their only son, Willie, to help on the farm. When Confederate soldiers come to the farm, foraging for food, Willie, leaves with them, telling his mother that he is fighting for the real Virginia.

Shirley Temple Black (currently researching, character to be ready to premiere in 2016) The talented, dimpled singing and tapping, curly topped little girl won the hearts of America and helped put a smile on faces in the midst of the Great Depression.

The Henry Clay Iron Furnace is a cold blast furnace and is located in Coopers Rock State Forest, Exit 15 off I-68. Take a hike on scenic trails and visit a piece of WV history.
61 County Line Drive, Bruceton Mills, W.Va. 26525

One of the most significant historical landmarks in West Virginia. Located near Blackwater Falls State Park, the stone marked the western boundary of land granted to Lord Fairfax by the King of England in the 1700’s. Almost two centuries later, the stone was used as the determining factor in the state boundary between West Virginia and Maryland. Sitting at the source of the North Branch of the Potomac River, 3 counties converge and comes as near as anything to being a cornerstone of the entire state. Early surveyors in West Virginia started from this point.

Located directly across from the town at the end of the county bridge. The hill was fortified during the Civil War and was used to protect the main line of the B&O Railroad. Guided tours can be arranged by appointment.

Historic home of one of Preston County’s most influential citizens. Listed on National Register of Historic Places. Annual and regularly scheduled events as well as available for parties, reunions, showers and receptions.

Revisit the 1930s in Arthurdale, WV. Established in 1933, by the United States government, Arthurdale is the nation’s first New Deal Homestead Community. Created through President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation, the community provided a new chance at life for residents who were suffering from the Great Depression.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt served as the empathetic force behind the community, which became known as “Eleanor’s Little Village.”

Today, Arthurdale is a National Historic District featuring 160 of the 165 original homesteads. The New Deal Homestead Museum is a multibuilding museum comprised of a forge filled with original tools, a service station reminiscent of a bygone era, the historic Center Hall, the original federal government administration building and a fully restored Arthurdale homestead.

The Craft Shop specializes in Appalachian crafts and quality gifts. Visit the second weekend in July for the New Deal Festival!

Brick-lined walls and worn wooden floors greet visitors as they wind their way through the assortment of privately owned specialty shops. Much of the character of the building has been richly retained, intermingling classic yet distinctive merchandise with warm hospitality.

Constructed in 1898, the center boasts authentic glass manufacturing tools and murals of the glass making process. The towering 100′ glass furnace chimney still stands on the property. The red water tower, located in front of Seneca Center, is a well-known landmark.

Step back into the colorful history of Morgantown with an audio walking tour of the Historic Downtown area. The MP3-guided Walking Tour is available at the Historic Clarion Hotel Morgan on High St. in downtown Morgantown. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., daily.